Tier 2 Visas

Tier 2 enables employers to recruit workers from outside the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA) to fill a particular job that cannot be filled by a British, settled or EEA worker.

Tier 2 visas are broken down into the following four subcategories:

Tier 2 General

Applies where you are seeking entry to the UK to fill a particular skilled job that cannot be filled by a UK, settled or EEA national.

A quota applies to this subcategory, which limits the number of new entrants each month. For the year from 6 April 2011 to 5 April 2012, a maximum of 20,700 skilled workers can enter the UK under this subcategory to do jobs with an annual salary below £150,000.

However, no quota applies to those coming to the UK to fill jobs with an annual salary of £150,000 or above or those seeking an extension or settlement.

Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer

Applies if you are already working for a company in another country and you are transferring to a post in the UK in the same company, either on a long-term or a short-term basis.

You must have worked in the overseas branch for at least 12 months, and when transferring to the UK, your salary must be appropriate for the job in the UK.

There are four routes within the Intra Company Transfer category under which you can apply for a Tier 2 visa: Long-term staff, short-term staff, graduate trainee, and skills transfer.

Tier 2 Sportsperson

Applies if you are an elite sportsperson/coach and are internationally established at the highest level, seeking entry to the UK. You must make a significant contribution to the development of your sport.

You must possess an endorsement from the appropriate sporting governing body to confirm that you are internationally established at the highest level and will make a significant contribution to the development of your sport. This endorsement will also act as evidence that it is necessary to fill this sporting post from outside the UK/EEA.

An applicant can score points in the ‘Attributes’ criteria by being sponsored by a club that has been licensed by the Home Office to issue certificates of sponsorship under this subcategory.

Tier 2 Minister of Religion

Applies to ministers of religion, missionaries, or members of religious orders who wish to come to the UK to undertake preaching and pastoral work, missionary work, or work within a religious order.

As professional immigration lawyers, we will use our extensive experience and expertise with Tier 2 visas to provide you with a complete service to obtain your visa, regardless of which subcategory you are applying under.

Eligibility to Apply

To be eligible to apply for a Tier 2 visa under any of the above-mentioned subcategories, you will need to have:

• A job offer;
• Certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor, known as a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence;
• Scored 70 points from the three sets of criteria: Attributes (50 points); English language skills (10 points) and Maintenance (10 points).

Our lawyers will assess your individual circumstances and determine whether you have met the requirements to become eligible to apply for a Tier 2 visa. We will then assist you with your application, including: Advising on and preparing the supporting documentation to be submitted with your  application;Determining if you achieve the relevant pass mark for points for a visa, by assessing your attributes, English language skills and maintenance; Advising on how further points can be scored if you fall short of the requisite points to be scored in each criteria; andCompleting and submitting the application on your behalf.

If you have any queries on whether you require a Tier 2 visa, your eligibility, or on the application process, please call our team of experienced lawyers.